Snow Day

Yesterday, we got 6 inches of snow dumped on us.  Today, God blessed us with a beautiful day to play in it!  After putting on two of everything (shirts, pants, and socks) I was ready to hit the snow.  This was one time I was thankful for pants that are too long.  I was able to tuck the excess in my shoes and it kept my feet dry all day!

Here we are just goofing off, throwing snowballs, tackling one another.

Mom and Abby

Chase and Garrett with the saucer.  Chase would stand up on it as he slid down the hill.  I didn't think there would be any way he'd ever be able to do it without losing his balance, but he did!

More snowballs!

The fun really got started when Grammy pulled out the tube!

This was after Ethan was pulled in the tube by the four wheeler.  He took a face plant right in the snow!

Jacob's getting all set up.

Grammy and Ethan are going to make a round.

What happened?  That's Chase on the right.  That's how he spent most of the day, too.

My turn!

After getting pummeled with snow in the face, I let go of the rope.  I took another turn later and found out Matt wasn’t as nice of a driver as Chris. He threw me into the ditch where I flipped over backward, head first into the snow!

Pop even got in on the action.

This was taken right before Chris swung him into the tree.  I'm hoping Mom got it on video!

Chase couldn't be bothered to pull his pants up.

Ethan had to warm up in the sun.

Tonya and Abs did too.

Abby's turn.  You could hear her giggling as she passed.

"But, it can't be over!"

We were outside playing together for over 2 hours!  It was SO much fun and memories were made that we'll all smile about!

Birthdays, Baby, Basketball, and Babysitting

Sunday, January 10th, we celebrated Papa, Blake, and Justin's birthdays.  They all share a January 12th birthday.

GayeAnn and Mom fixed chili and then each birthday boy had their favorite dessert.  

Papa - raisin pie

Blake - pecan pie

Justin - banana cream pie 

GayeAnn had a mirror in her bedroom that literally took 20 pounds off of you!  Here we all are checking it out.  I need to get one of those!

We watched them open presents...

while Hannah went through some of Abby's baby clothes.

Saturday, January 23rd, baby Kinley was born!

She looks just like her daddy!  When we got there she had the hiccups and made the sweetest little sounds.  She's so tiny and beautiful!

Welcome to the world, sweet baby girl!  You are already so loved!

The past couple of weeks, I've been watching lots and lots of basketball.  I've loved it, as this is my favorite sport and I'm watching my favorite players!

This was Chase's first year to play for school.  His seventh grade team won 2nd place in the COC!  Chase had a great coach.  He seemed to know just when to be gentle and encouraging and when to be a little more upfront and gruff.  Chase grew so much as a player and became more confident in his abilities.  I can't wait to see what next year holds!

Garrett is playing basketball with a group of his baseball buddies at the Courts in Springfield.  He's quite the basketball player, too.  He's not afraid to get "down and dirty".  I'm sad that I don't any video of him yet, but I will because his season is just starting!

Here is some of Garrett's cheering section.  Ok, maybe they weren't quite focused on the game, but they were there for moral support!

Ethan's sneaking in some lovin'.

Here's one tired boy:

Ethan is playing basketball, too.  This is his first year and is he fired up!  The first thing he told me about it was that he was going to dwain (drain) all his shots!  He is playing Upward at James River Assembly.  While this is a time for learning, Ethan already knows quite a bit just from watching his older brothers.  He was ready for the action.

Anytime he saw me with the camera, he would stop and pose.  On the video, you'll hear me laughing at one such occasion.

He's pretty tired, but mainly mad at Mommy because she wouldn't bring his drink over.

Jacob's first game is Friday night.  I'm anxious to see him play, too!  Who knows, maybe even Abs will play next year.

Finally, one night this week I helped watch Ethan while Tina was at Chase's game.  Pop took him to practice and then I took over from there.  Ethan had everything planned, I guess I was just there in case of an emergency.  :)  He immediately showed me the star he got at practice, but was more excited to tell me that someone got a star for "sweating the most."  While this was certainly not the reason, he's always thought the more you sweat, the harder you worked.  What a cutie!

Here he is showing me exactly what cup he wanted his apple juice in.  (When Mommy got home I found out he's not supposed to use sippy cups any more.  Guess he snuck one in on Meme!)

He wanted to play Mario Brothers.  Before we could even start, he had to make sure the lighting and sound were just perfect.  Seriously, we turned on/off about four different lights.  He amazed me at how he could set everything up, using three different remotes!

We had such a great time.  I wasn't very good at the game, but he encouraged me by saying, "Wow, Meme!  You're pretty good!"  He was so sweet to say, "My mom and me make the best team!"  When it was time for bed there was no crying or arguing and he went right to sleep.  What a good boy!

I'm so thankful for my nephews and niece.  They certainly more than fill a void in my life right now!

My List

Seems like more and more is being piled on to our plates every day.  More is being expected with less time to accomplish it in and with less pay.  I think you could give and give until there's absolutely nothing left and it still wouldn't be enough.  To maintain balanced in these extremely demanding days, I've been trying to make a list for myself.  A list of my own personal expectations for myself.  In my eyes, what can I do to be successful?  If all I do is evaluate myself by someone elses standards, I'll always come up short.  After lots of thinking and reflecting here's what I've come up with so far.  I know there's has to be something I'm missing.  I need your help.  What would you add?

To be a successful teacher I will...

• build relationships with my students
• show my students that I love and care about them, that they are valuable, and that they have something to give
• look for every opportunity to help my students learn
• build relationships with parents so they know I'm their partner, that I want to help, and that I will be as accommodating as possible

Ok, to all you parents out there, what am I missing?  What do you want from your child's teacher?  Any and all feedback is welcome!

Thinking of him

Thinking about a certain someone tonight.

Hoping he's ok and that all is well.

Wanting to know that he has a support system.

Wondering if he thinks of the past.

Hoping he knows that I loved him.

Praying for him.

Haiti

Tragedy.  Loss.  Devastation.

I'm so thankful that I serve a God who can offer hope even in under these circumstances.

This is my cousin Kevin and his beautiful wife, Aimee.  They work with Convoy of Hope to serve the people in Haiti, distributing supplies to meet their needs and sharing the love of Jesus.  As you are praying for Haiti, please pray for Kevin, too.  He has been there since last Friday.  He is safe, but has quite a job ahead of him.  The Lord has prepared him "for such a time as this". And, what an opportunity it is!  A chance to meet the most essential needs...all in the name of Jesus!

Just a silly girl

A simple thing said or done.

It's not meant to hurt, but it does.

I feel unsafe.

The wall goes up.

And just like that, I've distanced myself from those I love and who love me.

Yep, that's me.  Just a silly girl.

A silly girl working hard to be better.

Hannah's Shower

This evening we had a shower for Hannah and baby Kenley.  She's due to arrive January 26th!  Can you believe this Girl is due in about 2 weeks?  Look at that cute baby belly!

Hannah has been so practical from the start.  She's borrowed new/slightly used baby items from friends and only asked for diapers.  So, my mom made this adorable diaper cake.

She got the idea from my friend Jen.  (Click here for a full description on how to make one yourself.  By the way, Jen, the tutorial was perfect!)

Gaye Ann, Hannah's mom, starting cross-stitching this pillow when she was expecting Hannah.  With all the demands on a new mommy, she never quite got it finished.  When she found out Hannah was expecting she got it back out to finish it for her baby.  How sweet is that!  Baby Kenley is going to love hearing the story behind this sweet pillow one day.

Hannah, here's some unsolicited advice: take lots of time to cuddle, kiss, and hold your precious little girl.  Love her, pray for her, and give her to God and you'll be a successful parent.

I love you and am so looking to celebrating and sharing this new chapter in your life with you!

Christmas Break

I feel a little silly about posting this so late.  Actually I feel silly posting it at all.  But, in this new year of blogging, I'm trying to remind myself that these posts are for me.  I started this blog as a way to prove to myself that I'm living instead of sitting around waiting.  I want to record the memories of my everyday life.  I know that many of these posts must be boring for most of you, but if that happens to you, I have to believe you'll just stop reading.  I'm not writing to entertain, just to remember, maybe process things a little, and even reflect.  There.  I feel better just having "said" that.

Because Christmas was on a Friday this year, I thought the break would seem much shorter, but it didn't.  I felt rested and ready to go back by the time it was over.

Wednesday 12/23 ~ 1/2 day of school, went to Leslie's to finish Ethan's box, went looking at lights with the kiddos

Thursday 12/24 ~ made spinach dip for Grana's, got presents loaded and ready to take to Mom's

Friday 12/25 ~ Christmas! (recorded in an earlier post)

Saturday 12/26 ~ hung out at home in the morning then headed to Mardel and Hobby Lobby for some shopping (I loved leisurely strolling through the stores just looking around), went to Tina's to play the game of Life with the boys

Sunday 12/27 ~ church and Chipmunk movie (missed Tonya and Matt, but they were in Salem)

Monday 12/28 ~ surprised Grana with a visit, shopped in Branson, that night Mom and I helped Tina hang some pictures

                                      

Ethan impressed me with his daily workout!

Tuesday 12/29 - Lunch with Mom and Dad, shopping with Tonya, dinner at Tina's (for helping her hang her pictures) :)

Wednesday 12/30 ~  Lunch and movie with a dear friend.  We saw "It's Complicated" and laughed and laughed!

Thursday 12/31 ~ Errands and grocery shopping, later spent New Year's Eve with the family at Tonya & Matt's

The kids had a great time.  Can't you tell?

This girl loves her chocolate cake!

Things are winding down...

Just for you, Chase!

Friday 1/1 ~ More shopping. (I was working on a project, see below.)  Had trouble finding exactly what I wanted.  But, after trips to Gordman's, Hobby Lobby, Pier 1, Target, Lowes, and Michael's, I found what I was looking for.  Thanks, Mom, for letting me drag you everywhere!  Movie at Mom and Dad's that night.

Got new curtains, too!  Love them!

Saturday 1/2 ~ spent most of the day at home and then went to Garrett's basketball game

Sunday 1/3 ~ church, lunch with Mom and Dad, and spent the rest of the afternoon at home

Monday 1/4 ~ back to work, but had a 2 hour late start so that made it SO much easier

Ahh, vacation!  It's a wonderful thing!